| Sumario: | In 13 stands of a montane forest ecoystem in the Sierra de Merida, northwestern Venezuela, the organic matter and stored elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al and Na) were measured.
The soils of the studied area are very acid (pH CaCl2 3.5 to 4.0) and rich in organic matter; the dominant exchangeable cation is Al.
Main values for organic matter run up to 404 t/ha of living phytomass, 24 t/ha of dead trees, 38 tlha in the organic layer and 585 t/ha in the soil (0 — 120 cm). The forest contains high mineral stores, accumulated especially in the woody compartment, N and P values are very high in the soil compartment. The exchangeable K—, Ca— and Mg--stores are low in comparison to the exchangeable Al—store.
Site variations are believed to be regulated by site-dependent water regime. A corresponding site-index classification is presented.
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